The Sprout

Tulip time

The Newsletter for North Hinksey & Botley

Issue 177 May 2023

The Sprout

The Newsletter for North Hinksey & Botley

Directors: Janet Bartlam, Judi Bolder, John Clements,

Michael Cockman, Ag MacKeith

Editor

Ag MacKeith

South View House, Old Botley, OX2 0JR Tel: 724452 Editor@TheSprout.org.uk

Advertising Manager

Michael Cockman

50, St Paul's Crescent OX2 9AG Tel: 07766 317691 Adverts@TheSprout.org.uk

Deliveries

Jan Shirley and Isabelle Hayes

9, Sweetmans Road OX2 9BA 07706 606719 Deliveries@TheSprout.org.uk

Copy Date: Copy by 15th of month preceding publication. Earlier submission is

welcome. Later contributions may have to be held over to the next issue.

Advertisements: If you have print-ready advertisements in the correct format the

last day for booking advertising is the 10th of the month preceding publication; in all

other circumstances more advance notice will be needed. For details about exact sizes,

quality requirements, advice on text and help with production, please contact the

Advertising Manager.

Advertising rates:

½ page: 1 issue £56; 3 issues £135; 5 issues £196; 10 issues; £336

¼ page: 1 issue £28; 3 issues £67.50; 5 issues £98; 10 issues; £168

1/8 page: 1 issue £14; 3 issues £33.75; 5 issues £49; 10 issues; £84

Subscriptions: If you live outside North Hinksey Parish you can still receive The

Sprout on a regular basis. Just take out a postal subscription – only £12 per annum,

delivered to your door. Contact: Janet Bartlam: 01865 453111.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information printed in this

newsletter, mistakes may happen. The Editor and Team apologize unreservedly for any

errors that may occur and will do their best to correct them. This publication is not a

vehicle of the parish council, and parish councillors working with the Sprout do so in a

personal capacity. Opinions expressed are the opinions of the individual contributors.

All concerned in the production and delivery of The Sprout are unpaid volunteers.

The Sprout is printed by The Holywell Press, and published by

North Hinksey Parish Publications Ltd, (a company limited by

guarantee) Registration No. 05609535.

The Sprout

Issue 177, May 2023

Contents

3 Parish Council Hopefuls

19 Coronation Capers

21 Finding our new GPs

23 Planning Apps

25 2nd Botley Brownies

26 Musical Endings

27 Botley Artweeks

29 Botley in Bloom

31 4th Oxford Scouts

33 Kennington Memory Club

35 Helen Ward, Botley Arts

36 Randoms

39 General Organizations

From the Editor

Most of this month’s Sprout is taken up with lists. The almost comprehen-

sive list of candidates standing for the parish council on 4th May (p3)

shows the profiles of 25 of the 26 candidates standing for just 14 places.

There are parishes, I’m told, where people have to be begged to stand and

there are no elections because not all the spaces are filled. Not so in Botley

and North Hinksey, where public spirit reigns supreme! This will be evi-

dent, no doubt, around 8th May, when we are invited to celebrate the Cor-

onation by getting together with our friends and neighbours and doing

something helpful in the community. There is no shortage of possibilities

around our patch, and anyone who wants to write in and tell us what they

did can expect to be published next month. Official celebrations will be

rather low key compared with the shenanigans around the Platinum Jubi-

lee last year, but the beacon will be lit at 9pm on Saturday 6th, by Cumnor

Parish this time, and there will be picnics and burgers and beer on the

playing fields starting at 6pm. Hopefully there will also be bands. On page

27 is another list. It is of all those local artists who will be showing off their

work in Artweeks at the end of the month. The Sprout was happy to en-

dorse the good work with a grant to cover the local flyer.

Botley in Bloom, our front garden competition, is gearing up (p29) – please

don’t be backward in coming forward!

Ag MacKeith

NORTH HINKSEY PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS

STATEMENTS FROM CANDIDATES

A total of 26 candidates have offered themselves for election to the 14 places

on North Hinksey Parish Council on 4th May 2023. All but two of them have

sent statements, and they are listed below in alphabetical order. The District

Council elections for two District Councillors will take place at the same time,

but these are party political. You can vote for Emily Smith and Debby Hallett

for the Lib Dems, for Nekisa Gholami Babaahmady and Jamie Spooner for

the Labour Party, for Alexander and Elina Turner for the Conservatives. Kath-

erine Phillips is standing for the Green Party. Editor

Linda Morrison Allsopp (Independent)

If elected as Parish Councillor, I will give my time to

ensuring that Parishioners are listened to in Council.

As a qualified Clerk with experience of managing

Projects and Personnel I can guide the Council in

meeting its legal duties to ensure Equality of Ser-

vices, Transparency, Duty of Care for Staff, Data

Protection and GDPR. I will support a new Clerk/RFO

in their roles as CEO and CFO to the council, ration-

alise the number of committees, committee meetings

and policy documents and concentrate council ef-

forts in completing projects which benefit the Parish. For more information:

linda.morrisonallsopp@outlook.com

Nekisa Gholami Babaahmady (Labour Party)

On May 4 I am standing alongside Jamie Spooner as

a District and Parish Councillor, proudly representing

the Labour Party. I was brought up in the Parish and

as a young person want to ensure that there is better

affordable housing and that rogue landlords don’t get

away with exploiting tenants in the way that they have

been locally. I want to tackle the climate emergency,

sort out local air pollution and support sustainable

transport in the Parish. I also want to ensure safer

communities particularly for young women who don’t

feel safe here. And finally, I want to improve opportunities for young people

across the Parish. Jamie and I can and will make a real difference.

Lisa Barnes (Councillors for our Community)

I am a health coach, currently studying naturopathic

nutrition. I am passionate about wellbeing and ena-

bling people to live their healthiest, happiest lives. We

are so fortunate in North Hinksey and Botley to have

so much green space around us and I cherish my

runs, walks and swims out in our natural environment.

I have three children and believe that the mental and

physical wellbeing of all generations is partially deter-

mined by the opportunities and facilities available to

us. I hope to support current and future projects to improve the lives of both

children and adults in our community.

Alistair Bastin. (Councillors for our Community)

I’ve lived in Botley since 2016, and was elected onto

the Parish Council in 2019. I want to help Botley and

North Hinksey to be a better place to live, work and

raise families. Botley is changing rapidly, with new

developments and a growing population. I’m proud

of the positive work of North Hinksey Parish Council

to address these challenges: working to provide new

community facilities and improve the public realm.

My recent work chairing the Environment and Well-

being Committee has concentrated on air quality and

road safety within the Parish. I’m pleased to confirm that residential

streets will have their speed limit reduced to 20mph this Summer

Lorna Berrett (Councillors for our Community)

I’ve lived in Botley for 18 years and been a Parish

Councillor since 2015. I work in publishing and I’m pas-

sionate about communication and community. I created

the Botley Responders group, uniting street champions

to support vulnerable community members during

Covid. As chair of Seacourt Hall I support the hall as a

community facility. I also helped coordinate the com-

munity input into public art for Botley centre. If re-

elected I will work with other organisations on a new

emergency response plan, support a new forum for

senior residents and continue the public arts programme.

Calum Byrom (Independent)

I’ve lived in North Hinksey for the last 14 years and

consider myself very lucky to call it my home. I love

this place and feel privileged to have raised two chil-

dren here. Now they are teenagers, I have more time

to myself and am keen to give back to the local com-

munity. As a life-long environmentalist I have a strong

interest in promoting sustainability and protecting

green spaces for the health of the neighbourhood. As

an independent candidate, I think I am well placed to

provide pragmatic, accountable representation from a

fresh perspective.

Rod Chalk (Independent)

I have lived locally for 24 years. Previously I have

been secretary to the governors, served on the after-

school club committee and been PTA treasurer for

West Oxford School. I have 17 years’ past experi-

ence as a volunteer youth worker. I am a founder

member of Hinksey and Osney Environmental

Group. Loss of three parish clerks in the past four

years is unsustainable. If elected I will work towards

good governance, financial responsibility, democ-

racy, transparency and protection for the environ-

ment. Vote Independent and let’s make Botley and

North Hinksey a better place to live.

Chris Church (Councillors for our Community)

I have lived in Botley since 2012 and have served on

the Parish Council for six years. I work on planning

and sustainability issues and have used my experi-

ence to help improve our local environment. I set up

the Council’s green space survey which showed how

those spaces are highly valued, and organised four

tree planting sessions. I helped manage our Jubilee

celebrations and raise the money for Sustainable Bot-

ley’s energy advice work. As we welcome more

young families into the community so we need better

facilities and to safeguard our neighbourhood in the face of new commercial

development pressures.

Erica Davis (Labour Party)

As part of the Labour Team and branch Secretary of a

thriving Labour branch here in the Parish, I want to

work with Nekisa, Jamie, Chris and George to bring

about real and meaningful change. Having lived in the

Parish for decades I have seen how poorly served

older people are. It’s as if we are invisible. Older peo-

ple deserve better and this will be one issue I will fight

for. Along with seizing the opportunity to improve and

protect our green spaces, increase access to nature,

expand biodiversity, plant new trees and ensure that as many local people

as possible are involved in the process. Please Vote Labour!

Martin Dowie (Independent)

Please re-elect me to continue serving parishioners.

Over the last four years I have supported local chari-

ties, facilities and interest groups; protected parishion-

ers’ rights; defended parish green spaces; campaigned

for changes to Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme; op-

posed the Expressway; opposed the Pavilion planning

application and made a case for changes that would

retain a Scout Hut. For the future, I am concerned

about the loss of yet another Parish Clerk, the Coun-

cil’s financial management, local development, solar farms, Botley Medical

Centre and traffic issues. For more information please see my election leaf-

let in circulation or email me at martintdowie@gmail.com.

Chris Hall (Labour Party)

I have lived in Botley almost 20 years. I run a local

Taekwon-Do club and I am a member of the Labour

Party. I am proud to support workers striking for a bet-

ter future. Nationally, I believe our two most pressing

issues are Wealth Inequality and Climate Change. I

bring a perspective of trying of achieve the ‘win–win’

locally. I would support much better youth facilities and

would want to ensure that our local facilities are as in-

clusive as possible. Let's bring people together and

make things better. See: @garyseconomics @MrH4112016

Julia Hammett (Independent)

I have lived in the parish with my family for 25 years

and care very much about local issues which affect

parishioners' quality of life. All sections of our com-

munity need to be heard and treated with respect

and, if elected, I will work hard to represent a broad

range of opinion. I believe that there should be

greater transparency and consultation in decision

making, that public money should be spent wisely

and any projects should be affordable, inclusive of all

groups, shown to meet a genuine demand, and not

compromise our precious Open, Green Spaces.

Nicola Johnson (Councillors for our Community)

I have lived in Botley for 11 years, I’ve been a Botley

responder for my Close since Covid, helping with

sending out communications to the Close and ar-

ranging shopping and medication as and when

needed. As the parent of a child who will soon be a

teenager, I am aware that there isn’t much for young-

sters to do in the area. I would like to see more facil-

ities for children and teenagers.

I support the new pavilion and development of the

skate park.

Laura Jones (Councillors for our Community)

I moved to Botley with my husband almost 11 years

ago, a month before the birth of my kids. The wel-

come from our neighbours made us love Botley

straight away. The amount of volunteer work I wit-

nessed first hand during my last four years as a Par-

ish Councillor (we counted almost 45 different

groups in December) makes me feel that not all is

lost when we want to achieve something for the

good of the whole community. Onwards and Up-

wards!

David Kay (Councillors for our Community)

As a Councillor since 2012 and former Council

Chairman (2015-21) I have been heavily involved in

most of the Parish Council’s major activities over that

time including leading both our Neighbourhood Plan

Team and our successful campaign opposing the

Oxford to Cambridge Expressway. I have helped

manage our community hall facilities as a Trustee

since 2012 and took a prominent role in Council ne-

gotiations for improved facilities in the new Seacourt

Hall. Outside of the Council I work as a fundraiser for

Oxford homeless charity the Gatehouse and also volunteer for the Oxford

Food Hub and the Botley Community Fridge.

Shazia Keily (Councillors for our Community)

I have been living with my family in Botley for 11

years. My two children attended Botley School,

where I have been the treasurer for FOBS (the PTA)

for the last five years. I think Botley is a great place

to live and have always felt a strong part of the com-

munity, having been involved with neighbourhood

groups such as Botley Community Fridge during

Covid. I believe that it is important for local people

to engage with the parish council so that we can all

have a sense of pride within our community, ensur-

ing that all voices in the community are represented.

Julie Lesniarek (Councillors for our Community)

I moved to Botley in 2015 and have really enjoyed

living in such a lovely community. Since moving

here, I have been active in environmental projects

helping people understand the climate crisis, as well

as enhancing and preserving our natural habitats. I

am standing for the Parish council as one of the

Community Councillors in order to help them to con-

tinue their great work building the community and

enhancing the environment for everyone in the par-

ish, be they young, old or in between! I am keen to

help the council build our community's resilience in the face of the ongoing

climate crisis.

Ag MacKeith (Councillors for our Community)

I’ve lived in Botley for ages, and if I’m elected this

will be my sixth term on the Parish Council. While

my children were growing up, I joined local

campaigns, and together we saved the nursery

school from closure (1980), built Botley Skatebowl

(1990), and held tight to our library when it was

threatened with closure (1998 and 2010). I‘m a

founder member of Sustainable Botley, as I am

deeply concerned about the climate crisis. As the

editor of the Sprout, I help to keep the parish in

touch. I’m very pleased to see the new skatepark is underway at last, and as

a pavilion trustee I am looking forward to getting a pavilion that will be fit for

purpose.

John Marriott (Independent)

I will work to ensure that the Parish Council is a) rep-

resentative and inclusive of the whole community (all

ages, abilities and interests). b) financially responsi-

ble and manages its assets (green, open spaces and

existing buildings) efficiently, protecting them for fu-

ture generations, including seriously considering the

refurbishment of the Pavilion and Scout Hut c) makes

transport concerns a priority, including being proac-

tive in addressing issues arising from the closure

of Botley Road, congestion and remodelling and d) publishes Councillors'

attendance at meetings, missing from the latest PC Newsletter.

George Nicolls (Labour Party)

As a young person living in the parish and working

hard to make ends meet, I am standing with Nekisa,

Jamie, Erica and Chris on behalf of the Labour

Party. I am a law student at Brookes and have lived

in the Parish for the past six years. I am a proud

member of the Labour Party and believe that the

biggest issues facing students and young people in

the Parish are the cost of housing and wage stag-

nation and poverty. I want to tackle these issues so

that young people and students in the Parish stand a real chance to survive

and thrive.

James Poyser (Councillors for our Community)

Six years ago we moved to Botley to start our family

(our kids are now five and two), and we were at-

tracted to the green spaces, the exciting plans for

the area and the active community (it was thumbing

through a snaffled copy of The Sprout that ce-

mented our decision to move here!). We’ve been

wholeheartedly welcomed by neighbours and new

friends, and now I’d like to support our community

by standing as a councillor to ensure our parish

continues to thrive and provides the services and

facilities that make living in Botley a brilliant choice

for families.

Andrew Pritchard (Independent)

I have lived in North Hinksey since 1973. If elected

I will seek to reduce the Parish Precept that we all

pay, by reducing unnecessary administrative ex-

penditure, and not trying to duplicate work already

done better by other organisations (e.g. Low Carbon

West Oxford). I will try to get the Louie Memorial Pa-

vilion and Scout Hut refurbished to help our young

people instead of planning to spend at least £2m on

a new pavilion, for which little money has been

raised after three years. We also need better public

transport, and we should talk to neighbouring Cum-

nor Parish Council. For further information see my circulated leaflet or email

3andrew3@tiscali.co.uk.

Adam Rankin (Councillors for our Community)

As a current Parish Councillor, I believe that I am

serving the community well in the work that is both

preserving the character of the parish and looking

to improve our facilities to endure through the fol-

lowing generations. As Chair of NHPC Planning

Committee, I have worked hard to protect our green

spaces and rare habitats, often representing the

community against uncharacteristic developments.

Improving leisure facilities for the community are

also key. I will continue working towards this if re-elected.

Matthew Scarborough No information received

Jamie Spooner (Labour Party)

On May 4 I am standing as a Parish and District

Councillor for the Labour Party alongside Nekisa.

Having lived and worked locally for many years, I feel

it’s time for real change. Nekisa and I can and will

make a real difference, fighting for a greener Parish,

a fair economy supporting our local small businesses

so that they can thrive. Championing the Oxfordshire

living wage and helping those in the Parish who are

hardest hit by the Tory cost of living crisis. I want to

make this Parish fit for purpose and as a youth and

community worker I understand the importance of in-

vesting in our communities.

Nicholas Wedd (Independent)

I'm in favour of the Flood Alleviation Scheme, but be-

lieve that the creation of a channel through Hinksey

Meadow should be avoided and would not contribute

significantly to the scheme. I hope that if the Scout

Hut is to be destroyed, the Scout Group will receive

adequate compensation for their loss.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CORONATION CAPERS

The coronation itself, as we know, takes place in the

middle of the day on Saturday 6th May, at which point

many of us will be glued to the television, keen not to

miss this rare spectacle. Later on, though, we’ll need

to get out, and the place to go for a party is the Louie

Memorial playing fields in Arnolds Way. Here Tap So-

cial will be providing a bar from 7pm, the 15th Scouts

will be doing a barbecue and at 9pm Cumnor Parish

Council will be lighting the beacon. It is hoped there

will be music in the MUGA for those who want to

shake a leg. The following day there will be street par-

ties – or so we are told – and on the bank holiday

Monday we are invited to get out and do some good

work in the community with our neighbours. There are a range of perspec-

tives on the monarchy in Botley but we all know how to enjoy a party, and

how to help our neighbours, so it should be fun!

Finding a New GP Provider for the Medical Centre

The Executive of the Patient Participation Group (PPG) have been in

regular contact with the Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire

(BOB) Integrated Care Board (ICB) regarding their intent to find a new

provider of GP services at Botley Medical Centre and Kennington Health

Centre and we are happy to say the BOB ICB are on the case.

See below for a draft timeline produced by the BOB ICB for finding a new

provider(s). You will read that ‘Expressions of Interest’ are being sought

from Oxfordshire GP practices, who can provide primary care services at

either Botley or Kennington sites or at both sites. BOB ICB have listened

to patients’ views expressed at the recent meeting in Kennington, and

maximum flexibility has been allowed for within the ‘Expression of

Interest’.

It is a DRAFT timeline, not set in stone and, depending upon the number

of GP proposals advanced, the later dates in the timeline may change.

The PPG are to be involved in the process throughout. There is likely to

be commercially sensitive information submitted in the process so we will

let you know as much information as we can.

The ICB have asked for confidential ‘expressions of interest’ from

Oxfordshire GP practices which could provide primary care services

from either the Botley or Kennington sites or both. They will be asked

to explain how they will provide an effective primary care service. Their

‘bids’ will be assessed by a panel which will include

Ø representatives of BOB ICB from primary care, quality and finance.

Ø BOB Local Medical Council (which represents GPs).

Ø a member of staff from the Botley Medical Centre.

Ø an NHS procurement expert.

Ø a representative from the independent patient watchdog

Healthwatch Oxfordshire as an observer.

Ø a patient representative nominated by the Patient Participation Group

(PPG)

By the time this is published the information may well be out of date. More

up to date information may be found at ‘Botley Medical Centre BOB ICB’

DRAFT Timeline:

Date

Action for finding new provider (s)

24/03/23

Invitation to all Oxfordshire practices to express

an interest

11/04/23

Deadline to receive ‘Expressions of Interest’. BOB ICB

to seek proposals from interested practices

Early May

Deadline for return of GP proposals

Mid May

Panel meeting made up of NHS and patient reps

to assess the proposals

Mid June

BOB ICB recommends a preferred provider(s)

Early July

BOB ICB confirms new provider(s)

Mid July

Patients informed of decision

End Sept.

New provider (s) starts delivering a primary care

service

What happens if there is no interest?

If no local provider submits an ‘expression of interest’ BOB ICB will find

a caretaker practice (from a national list) to deliver health services for the

two sites from the end of September 2023, when the doctors’ present

contract ends, for one year. During this time, they would carry out a wider

search to find a new provider from September 2024.

Chris Sugden

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LOCAL PLANNING APPLICATIONS

P23/V0616/HH

54 Arthray Rd. Single storey rear

extension.

22 March

TDD: 17 May

P23/V0682/FUL

167 Southern Bypass.

2-storey side & rear extension.

Conversion of the existing resi-

dence into 3x 1-Bed flats. New side

entrance to shared garden.

22 March

Target Deci-

sion Date:

17 May

P23/V0842/FUL

Louie Memorial Fields, Arnolds

Way. Build reinforced concrete

skatepark on grass area of Louie

Memorial Fields, south of the Pavil-

ion and Multi Use Games Area.

6 April

TDD: 1 June

P23/V0848/LDP

Wolfson House, Yarnells Hill. Single

storey rear extension with lean-to

roof.

11 April

TDD: 6 June

Girls Can Do Anything

Following on from last month we can now reveal that along with a new

logo, Girlguiding also has a new strapline which is “Girls can do any-

thing”. In short, Girlguiding offers a safe, inclusive space for all girls –

one where they can try new things with friends they trust and volunteers

they look up to. This will give them courage, connections, confidence,

and memories they’ll never forget. And when girls feel confident, they

are more likely to know they can do anything. We’ve been by girls’ sides

for over a century. Today we’re focused on what drives, challenges and

excites girls here and now, and in the future. Girls are at the heart of all

that we do. We’re excited to

be moving forward together,

into the future where all girls

know they can do anything.

With all that said we Second

Botley Brownies are cracking

on as a Unit with the current

programme only to stop for

one evening to create a

Mothering Sunday pre-

sent. This you can see from

the photo, was a unique hand-painted Spanish slate memo board with a

piece of chalk and a small sponge. Earlier in the term whilst researching

the slate craft for the girls, we saw similar but plain slate boards retailing

for around a fiver. We are happier with

ours as they are not only unique but

made from quite a lot of recycled

items.

The following week we attempted “Ar-

chitecture & Skyscrapers”. This was

supposed to be achieved by using

quantities of food (apples, cucumber

and pasta etc) but we decided that that

would be a waste of perfectly good

food, as well as too expensive. So in-

stead, we sourced the recycled items

you can see in the photo. The girls

worked well in pairs and were tasked

with making the tallest structure possible. Two pairs worked out that by

erecting a flag pole made from skewers and drinking straws on top of their

structure they could increase the building’s height by another 30 centime-

tres! Almost at the end of their allotted time one of the structures dramat-

ically collapsed, but with the resilience and newfound knowledge of con-

struction the pair swiftly rebuilt it “as good as new” in less than five

minutes. The joint highest buildings were constructed by Natasha & Alice

and Embla & Catherine. Well Done All – Girls can do anything!

Term ended with a fun Easter Egg Hunt. The chocolates went home in

little baskets which each girl carefully coloured and assembled. As we

start the new term, we have lots of ideas for the rest of the year. We still

have a few spaces, so if your daughter is aged 7 to 9 years old and would

like to join us at 2nd Botley then please get in touch with us via www.girl-

guiding.org.uk.

Brown Owl

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Musical Endings and Beginnings

As Cumnor Choral Society, we performed Haydn’s Creation last month

to an appreciative audience who also enjoyed a sumptuous after-concert

buffet.

This was an especially emotional occasion for us as we said farewell to

our Musical Director of fifteen years, Peter Foster. Peter has been an

amazing MD, his patience and gentle chiding will long be remembered.

He will be greatly missed but we are excited and grateful that Ben Goodall

has stepped in to take his place.

Ben is both a conductor and singer. He works with professional and am-

ateur groups and performs regularly as a soloist counter-tenor with pro-

fessional choirs. We look forward to finding out what his plans are for our

next concert this winter.

We start rehearsals in September on Thursday evenings. If you are in-

terested in joining our very friendly choir (no voice test needed), please

email me at Cockman.caroline@gmail.com or visit Cumnorchoralsoci-

ety.wordpress.com.

Caroline Cockman

Artweeks Comes to Botley

Once again, artists in the Botley and wider area are making a big

contribution to Oxfordshire Artweeks in May 2023. The three-week

festival of all things creative runs from 6-29 May, but artists in our area

will be part of the third week: 20-29th May. You’ll find crafts, art, sculpture,

photography, ceramics and artists at all stages of their creative journeys

from talented debutants to established artists and craftsmen, all using no

end of different materials and mediums: There’ll truly be something for

everyone!

With apologies to anyone I may have missed or who may fall just outside

the Sprout’s circulation area, here is a short breakdown of all those artists

exhibiting in the Botley and wider area.

For further details on all these exhibitions (and everybody taking part in

the whole Artweeks festival across Oxfordshire (there are 2,000 of us in

total!) visit the Oxfordshire Artweeks website, www.artweeksorg. Use the

Advanced Search function for the May festival and type in the venue

numbers provided for specific information and opening times for each

venue.

Hannah Vickery (Venue 34)

Mixed Media & Painting

2B Hurst Lane, Cumnor

“I explore concepts of space and place through mixed media paintings.

Influenced by numerous physical places and experiences. My paintings

communicate a sense of mystery, of journeying to lands unknown and

undiscovered, of inner spiritual landscape.” www.hannahvickeryart.com

Claire Francis, Dominique Malacarne (Venue 405)

Malphor, Hinksey Heights Barns (nr Hinksey Heights Golf Club)

Furniture, Photography

Dominique is a designer-upcycler, a member of The House of Upcycling

and has exhibited at Grand Designs Live. As a designer she is actively

seeking ways to promote sustainable life styles, from which she has

created the professional upcycling studio Malphor.

Claire specializes in alternative process printing: cyanotype and gum

bichromate. She has been making photographs and prints for 25 years,

producing an ever-growing collection of handmade images.

www.malphor.co.uk www.instagram.com/c.francis

Rebecca Rowland (Venue 406)

Glass

Raleigh House, Harcourt Hill

Rebecca’s fused glass reflects her analytical approach, fascination with

straight lines and anticipation of how and where hot glass will flow.

Pattern and structure are important features, along with reactions made

possible when chemicals in the different colours of glass interact.

www.beccarowlandfusedglass.com

Botley Drawing Group (Venue 407)

Drawing, Mixed Media

Louie Memorial Pavilion, Arnolds Way

Founded and led by Botley artist Ali Hogg, the Botley Group meets

weekly to produce life drawings and mixed media work. This is their first

group exhibition since their foundation in 2022.

Nick Thorn (Venue 408)

Sculpture

26 Hurst Rise Road

Nick carves in a range of stone from the UK and overseas, including

Caen, Portland and Purbeck limestones. He works with both figurative

and abstract forms, but in all of them he seeks to bring out a sense of

poignancy. NB. While Nick’s studio will be cleaned for Artweeks, it is not

possible to remove all traces of stone dust, so you should not wear your

finery to visit! www.nickthorn.co.uk

Mark Clay and Peter Wardell-Yerburgh (Venue 409)

Drawing, Mixed Media, Sculpture, Pottery

88 Arthray Road

Mark returns to Artweeks with more drawings, sculpture and mixed media

work inspired by landscapes near and far (including Hinksey Heights

Nature Trail, where he and Peter are both active volunteers), and by the

resonance and fleetingness of memory and experience. This year he is

joined by Peter Wardell-Yerburgh for his first ever exhibition, showing his

elegant and thoughtful pottery. www.markrclay.co.uk

Emmett Casley (Venue 410)

Drawing, Mixed Media, Painting, Printmaking

5 Crabtree Road

Emmett’s work is concerned with our relationships with the landscapes

around us, detachment, changing identities and our changing culture,

particularly with regard to the landscape and history around his home

town of St. Just in Cornwall. www.emmettcasley.com

Old School Art Collective (Venue 411)

Ceramics, Miscellaneous, Mixed Media, Multidisciplinary, New Media,

Painting, Pottery, Wood

140 North Hinksey Lane

Five varied and talented artists come together at the Old School for

another year featuring original, inspirational, colourful artwork and

functional homeware. Their collection this year includes a variety of new

work from artisanal ceramics, unique woodturned pieces and functional

pyrography art to art inspired by Oxford.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Botley In Bloom –

Front Garden Competition 2023

Categories:

• Best Overall Front Garden

• Best Cultivated-Wildlife Front Garden

• Best use of Vegetables in a Front Garden

Crucial dates

• Closing date for entries: Monday 5 June

• Judging: week beginning Monday 12 June

• Results announced: Monday 19 June

To enter, simply email editor@thesprout.org.uk with your name, ad-

dress and the category you are entering. And if you want to nomi-

nate someone else’s brilliant front garden, please do. See March is-

sue for what the judges will be looking for.

On your marks! Get set! GROW!!

4th Oxford – The Year So Far

The 4th Oxford Scout Group ran 55 evening sessions last term, on every

weekday night, also several weekend activities for all ages. We have over

20 regular leaders/helpers, and lots of other support from parents and

others to make this all run smoothly. We thought we’d write about some

of the things we’ve done so far in 2023…

Everyone has been practising

first aid this term, our tiny Bea-

vers can put adults in the re-

covery position, and our

Scouts can handle all sorts of

injuries and do CPR. All sec-

tions visited the fire station or

the ambulance station; big

thanks are due to everyone

there who stayed late to show

us so much of what they do.

Young people worked towards

their air activities badges, with

Scouts making and flying

model planes, and a day trip

for everyone to the RAF mu-

seum just outside London:

loads of activities, exhibits and

historic aeroplanes to clamber

around. Pancake day was cel-

ebrated by everyone, with dif-

ferent approaches depending

on the age group, as was International Women’s Day, with lots of inter-

esting discussion led by our Scout leader, Kat. There was also a group

visit to the annual Gang Show, where three of our Scouts were perform-

ing after many months of rehearsals.

Beavers and Cubs often cover similar themes each week, but with activ-

ities pitched towards their age group. Cubs had an evening of Lego con-

struction challenges, another on mental health and well-being including a

yoga session, Chinese New Year was celebrated, and there were eve-

nings of storytelling, online safety and digital maker activities at Oxford

Library, also fire lighting and lots and lots of games. Weekend activities

for the Cubs included a camp near Donnington Bridge, and a District ori-

enteering competition in woodland east of Oxford.

The Scouts have also spent lots of time outdoors, mostly wrapped up

warm as it was chilly. There was an evening of wide games, a campfire

and hot chocolate all in the dark (and in the mud!) on Hurst Hill. Scouts

completed their artist badge and as part of their writers’ badge they have

been interviewing people with interesting stories, including a policeman,

a beekeeper, a podcast producer, a scientist and a former head of the

Army in Scotland. Weekend activities included a District cooking compe-

tition, and the North Leigh 18-mile hike (with all our teams putting in great

effort to complete the route, and one of our teams coming fastest). The

older Scouts ran the whole of the last session of term, which included a

dancing competition and loads of party food. Several of them will now

move up to Explorers.

The adult volunteers have already been planning a full programme for the

summer, including several camps, lots of kayaking and the traditional

summer water fight as the last event of term. Scouts summer camp will

be in Devon, with trips to the beach, surfing lessons, a bike expedition

and coasteering (clambering on rocks around the coast above the break-

ing waves).

If you might like to get involved – and we’re always on the lookout for

more adult volunteers – please chat to Amber gsl@thefourth.org.uk.

James Wynne

Kennington Memory Club (kenningtonmemoryclub.org.uk) is gearing up to

give the red, white and blue bunting and outfits another airing for the cele-

bration of the Coronation of King Charles III. Does that still sound strange to

you? Those with memory problems such as dementia may find it difficult to

take in that our monarch is not still Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned for most

if not all of the lives of very many people. Let’s hope for fine weather and

great celebrations for the Coronation weekend. God save the King!

We now take 12 members a day at our Day Centre sessions in Kennington

Methodist Church on Mondays and Thursdays, increased from the previous

maximum of 10. This means there are more spaces for those with a diagno-

sis of dementia to attend the sessions. Perhaps you, or someone you know,

would like to attend. Or maybe there’s someone who’s a carer for a person

with dementia that needs just a few

hours of respite, and would really ap-

preciate if their loved one could be

looked after at the Day Centre. The

answer is to contact our Organiser,

Helen, on 07852 883496, email

memoryclub1@outlook.com.

Fundraising for this year is well under

way. Arrangements for LADDER-

THON 2023 are proceeding apace.

Look out for publicity about the event

and for the date, when it is revealed.

Could you assist? Help in any form is

welcome – baking cakes or knitting

items for a sale, perhaps, or putting

up posters for an event. Many other

roles available! Please contact our

fundraising supremo, Chris, on

01865 300345 or jfauthor@aol.com,

if you have any ideas or could help in

any way.

Helen Ward at Botley Arts

Botley Arts is delighted to be introduc-

ing modern and vibrant paintings and

drawings by Helen Ward, a local Botley

Artist. Here’s how she describes her

work:

My inspiration comes from patterns,

shapes and colours in the world around

me. I paint mainly abstract or semi-ab-

stract landscapes, with the intention of

suggesting and simplifying. My aim is to

portray a feeling rather than a specific

moment in time or a recognisable place

(or thing, or person). I feel that pleasure

can come from the pure sensation of

seeing – without the necessity for a work of art to be a realistic depiction

of anything. I agree with Mark Rothco, who apparently said, ‘A painting is

not a picture of an experience, but is the experience.’

My approach is experimental, which means that I use a variety of styles

and media for painting and drawing – from collage to acrylic paint to wa-

tercolour (and occasionally oil paint), as well as pen, ink and charcoal. I

work from sketches made outside in the landscape as well as from photos

and memory.

I studied Art to A level, and I attended the occasional class or workshop

over the years, but since I stopped being employed full-time, I’ve been

able to spend more time looking at paintings and making my own art. I’m

very grateful to the teachers I’ve studied with locally and those at the St

Ives School of Painting. I’ve also learned a lot from various artists online.

I’m a member of the Oxford Art Society, having had paintings selected for

display at two of their open exhibitions, and I’d like to thank Botley Arts

for the opportunity to exhibit my work. You can see more of what I do

here: instagram.com/hward1820 and you can contact me here:

hward1820@btinternet.com

The exhibition is open 1 May–7 July 2023 and the Church of St Peter and

St Paul is open from 10–4pm Mon–Sat and 12–4pm Sunday

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Randoms

Our Spikey Friends

Readers who would like to support Hedgehog Awareness Week (30

April–6 May) might consider creating a hedgehog access point in their

gardens, installing an official ‘Hedgehog Highway’ sign, or adding a

‘Hedgehogs Crossing’ sticker to their wheelie bins to raise driver aware-

ness. For more details, please contact local British Hedgehog Preserva-

tion Society member Prof. Roger Dalrymple on roger.dalrym-

ple@spc.oxon.org

Report from Botley WI

Botley WI’s year has just finished and we were pleased to have enjoyed

several good speakers, social events, and workshops. Our new pro-

gramme will begin with a special coronation evening to be held on 9th

May. Members have been crafting coronation souvenirs to go with the

bunting we made last year. We will have a coronation quiz and, of course,

cake! Coming up in June, we will be holding a race night on Saturday

17th June. Please feel welcome to attend.

We would love to see some new members join us, first Tuesday every

month at 7.30pm. Come and give it a try for two sessions before deciding

to become a member. As well as the evenings themselves, you will have

access to a book club, craft, a walking group, gardening, and music

groups. Alongside this, we have trips, workshops, and special social eve-

nings.

MAY IN BOTLEY LIBRARY

THREE bank holidays this month: Mon 1st, Mon 8th, Mon 29th

Saturday 6th Coronation Day – Open as usual.

Monday 15th and 22nd – 10-12pm, Drop in for Tea and Coffee

Tuesday 9th 11am ‘Bloom’. Nature themed mini show for pre-school-

aged children. Sensory play with music and puppetry. Booking re-

quired.

Tuesday 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th – Lego Club 3-4.30pm

Thursday 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th – Craft Club for Adults 2pm

Friday 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th – Rhymetime 10am, Board games 4-6pm

Seacourt Hall Annual Public Meeting

& Call for Public Representatives

APM 7pm Monday 5th June – all welcome

Nominations are now open for up to six public representatives to join the

Seacourt Hall Charity Trustees. Any Botley and North Hinksey resident

aged over 18 may have their name put forward by two parishioners on

the electoral roll of this parish. Nominations should be sent by 5pm on

Monday 29th May to admin@seacourthall.org.uk or posted in the Sea-

court Hall letterbox at the Library end of the building. Public representa-

tives will be elected as Charity Trustees at the AGM by the Trustees. The

APM is open to members of the community. Please come along and send

any questions in advance to the Chair, Lorna Berrett on lorna.ber-

rett@northhinksey-pc.gov.uk To find out more about Seacourt Hall and

what being a Trustee involves, please check the website at sea-

courthall.org.uk or contact the Chair.

Sprout notices

Many thanks to the people who got in touch to offer to be directors or

deliverers, and thanks, too, for the friendly messages of support for our

efforts! Here’s another kind of help we could do with: our editorial team

should really be a bit more varied. We could especially do with some input

from THE YOUTH! Are you a young journalist? Would you like to be? Get

in touch! The Sprout needs you.

Cherry Trees

Shortly after Easter, a semicircle of white flowering cherry trees

was planted on the lower memorial field, mainly in memory of local

people who had died in the Covid pandemic, although one was

planted for Jane Chapman, a well known local figure who died a

few years ago. Volunteers from Hinksey Heights Nature Trail very

kindly carried out the installation, adding a protective hedge be-

tween the trees. Claire Sykes, the vicar, led the dedication team.

Skatepark

The planning application is in, and the Vale have opened the con-

sultation period. Do have a look and feel free to throw roses as well

as brickbats. The concrete park has been carefully designed with

all types of users in mind and will fill a long unmet need.

Organizations: If your organization is not listed here, please send details

to editor@thesprout.org.uk or telephone 724452 for inclusion.

1st Botley Brownies

Girls aged 7–10

Dean Court Community Centre Thur 6–7.30 Jean

Metson, firstbotleybrownies@gmail.com

2nd Botley Brownies

Girls aged 7–10

Rosary Room, Yarnells Hill. Tues 6:15-7:45 Alison

Griffin 2ndbotleybrownies@outlook.com

4th Oxford Scout Group

Beavers, Cub Scouts, Scouts

mail@thefourth.org.uk

Website:

http://www.thefourth.org.uk/

15th Oxford Scout Group

Boys and girls welcome

Fridays, Cubs 6.30-8, Scouts 8-9.30, Pavilion, Fogwell Rd.

Amy Cusden (Cubs) 07887 654386, Tom Freeman (Scouts)

07837 623768 xvoxfordscouts@yahoo.co.uk

Baby & Toddler Group

Tues/Thurs 9.15–11, SS Peter & Paul Church Hall

BikeSafe. B4044 community

path campaign

Wants to connect Botley to Eynsham. Meets every 6-8

weeks. Contact via website B4044path.org

Books on Wheels R.V.S.

Free Library Service for housebound Ox. 248142

Botley Boys & Girls F.C.

Football teams from ages 8

-16

Terri Matthews:

clubsecretarybbgfc@gmail.com

Botley Community Larder

Thursdays, 3.30 to 5.30 at St P&P Church Hall, West

Way, Facebook or email

botleylarder@gmail.com

Botley and Kennington

Patients Participation Group

Second Tuesday in the Month, early evening. Con-

tact csugden@ocrpl.org

Botley Health Walks

2nd & 4th Sats 9.50 Louie Memorial Field car park, or

Tues 11 am Library botleyhealthroutes@gmail.com

Botley Library

07922 849680. Open till 7 on Friday and 1pm on Sat,

otherwise 9.30 to 5.30 (closed Wednesdays).

Botley Memory Lane Café

Thursdays 10-12 Seacourt Hall Lounge, Diccon James

07740 611971

Botley Seniors Lunch Club

Alternate Thursdays. Seacourt Hall. Jackie

Warner

Ox.721386

Botley Youth Club

botleyyouthclub@gmail.com

Cumnor Choral Society

Thursdays, 19.30-21.30 St Andrew’s Ch. Steve Morris,

chair. www.cumnorchoralsociety.wordpress.com

Cumnor Chess Club

Thurs 7–9pm Cumnor Old School. Steven Bennett

01993 684494 www.cumnorchessclub.co.uk

Cumnor & District

Historical Society

Last Monday of the month 7.30-9.00 Cumnor Old

School. 01865 724808

Cumnor Gardening Club

http://cumnorgardens.org.uk/

tel 01865 721026

Harmony InSpires, Ladies'

Acappella Singing Group

Wed 7.30 at Appleton Village Hall. C. Casson 01235

831352 or harmonyinspires@hotmail.co.uk

Hill End Volunteer Team

Contact: David Millin on david.millin@hill-end.org,

call 863510 or visit www.hillend-oec.co.uk

Lawn Tennis Club

Family club

Email: Tennis@OxfordSportsLTC.org

07824 881680 www.oxfordsportsltc.org

West Oxford Singing Circle

Weds 2-3pm, WOCC, Emily 07969 522368 or see

www.emilyschoirs.co.uk

Morris Dancing – Cry Havoc

Barbara Brett 249599 or bag@cryhavoc.org.uk

North Hinksey Preschool

and Childcare clubs

Mon–Fri 7.45am–6.00 pm. Tel 794287 or email

nhps.manager1@gmail.com

N Hinksey Art Group

Weds 10–12.00 W.I. Hall Christina 07931 707997

N Hinksey Bellringers

Contact: Ray Rook 01865 241451

N Hinksey Conservation

Volunteers

Meets at weekends Contact Voirrey Carr

07798743121 voirreyc@aol.com

N Hinksey, Friends of

Annual Cricket Match/ Walk. Douglas Bond 791213.

N Hinksey Parish Council

clerk@northhinksey-pc.gov.uk

Oxford Flood Alliance

R Thurston 01865 723663 or 07973 292035

Oxford Flower Arranging

Club

4th Thursday Cumnor. Dympna Walker: Ox 865259

Oxford Harmony

Wednesdays 7.30 – 9.30 pm at Seacourt Hall

Contact pro@oxfordharmony.co.uk

Oxford Otters

Swimming for people with disabilities. Sundays,

twice monthly. Contact: Alan Cusden 723420

Oxford Rugby Club

Boys and girls from 5, kevin.honner@ntlworld.com

Seniors, training etc jbrodley@chandlings.org.uk.

Raleigh Park, Friends of

Email: raleighpark@raleighpark.org.uk

Seacourt Hall Management

Committee

Contact Lottie White, 07452 960100, or see

https://www.seacourthall.org.uk

Shotokan Karate Club

6+ WOCC twice weekly

Martyn King 07836 646450

Stagecoach Botley

Botley School, Saturdays 9:00am–3pm Performing

Arts for 4-16 yr-olds 01865 590510 or 01235 390810

West Oxford Bowls Club

Dave Ellerker 07931 603801

wobc.membership@gmail.com

West Oxford Taekwon Do

Club

Mon, Thurs 6.30-8pm, MA gym, contact Chris Hall

01865 570291 www.wotkd.co.uk

West Oxford U3A

(Uni of the 3rd Age) http://westoxfordu3a.org.uk/

Women’s Institute (Botley)

Alison Jenner 07598 251161

alisonjenner@yahoo.com

Weight Watchers

Thursdays 6pm at SS Peter & Paul Church Hall

Banso tel: 07779 253899 bansob@aol.com

Botley Baptist Church,

I Church Way

Contact: Building Manager 07742

662668 botleybaptist@gmail.com

The Rosary Room

Yarnells Hill, Elms Rise

Contact: Maria Brown,

Tel : 01 8 65 2 479 86 .

SS Peter & Paul Church

Hall, West Way, Botley

Contact: 01865 242057 or

osneybenefice@outlook.com.

Women's Institute Hall,

North Hinksey Lane

Contact: Val Warner

Tel . 01 8 65 2 452 73

Seacourt Hall,

3 Church Way

Contact: Lottie White on 07452 960100,

or email admin@seacourthall.org.uk

Pavilion, Arnold’s Way,

Elms Rise, Botley

Contact: Darren Blase 241254

louiememorialpavilion@gmail.com

Oxford Rugby Club,

North Hinksey Village

Contact: Mary Bagnall

mary.bagnall1@btinternet.com.

North Hinksey & Botley Churches

Times of Services (once resumed) and Contacts

St. Lawrence, Church of England, North Hinksey Lane

1st, 2nd, 4

, 5

Sunday 11.30am Holy Communion

3rd Sunday 11.30am Matins

St. Peter and St. Paul, Church of England, West Way

Sundays 9.30am Holy Communion

Wednesdays 10.30am Holy Communion in Chapel of Holy Spirit

1st Saturday each month, 4–5.30pm Messy Church for children and carers

Rev Clare Sykes, Tel. 01865 242345 or revclare@btinternet.com

See table above for Church Hall enquiries.

Our Lady of the Rosary, Roman Catholic, Yarnells Hill

Saturday 6.30pm Mass

Sunday 9.15am Mass

Fr Daniel Lloyd 07584 323915 dlloyd@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk.

Botley Baptist Church, 1 Church Way

Sunday Service 11 am

Wednesday Zoom Bible Study 7.30pm

Choir practice Thursday 2pm

Diane Melchert 07742 662668 www.botleybaptistchurch.org

Calvary Chapel

Sunday services on 1st Floor, 1 Church Way at 9.30am with

crèche, children’s Sunday school and youth group

Pastor Steve Vickery 01865 586332

contact@ccox.church website: www.ccoxford.church

What’s On

May

April 30 –May 6th Hedgehog Awareness Week

Mon 1st Bank Holiday

Thur 4th Local Council Elections

Sat 6th Coronation Party on the Playing Fields 7 pm,

Beacon lighting at 9pm

Mon 8th Bank Holiday

Mon 8th 2.30pm, Dean Court Community Centre, U3A talk:

John Tyler: The Ever-changing Life of an English

Wood

20–29th Botley Artweeks. Eight venues (see inside)

Mon 22nd 2.30pm, Dean Court Community Centre, U3A talk: Liz

Woolley: Beer, Sausages and Marmalade: Food

Drink, Politics and Tourism in 19th Century Oxford

Mon 29th Bank Holiday

Every Tuesday, 1pm–

2.30pm, Seacourt Hall, Age UK Warm Space for everyone, espe-

cially older adults, with free tea and coffee.

Through the week, plenty of different activities in the warm

space of the library (see page 37)